After the 48 How It Works

What should I do with my film?

Many filmmakers wonder what to do with their films after the 48HFP. Our suggestion is do what you would do with any film — get it out there! Enter it into festivals, play it in public screenings, upload it to websites, get it on television, and show it to anyone you can. In the meantime, we'll highlight the top films on our website.

Because the 48HFP is constantly working on distribution outlets for the films, especially in the first year, our Team Leader's Agreement does restrict what you can do and when you can do it.

Confused about how this all works? Check out the information below. Please note that this is simply a description of the rights, based on the 2019 Team Leader's Agreement. For questions or further clarification, please refer to the Agreement.

Note: If you utilized SAG-AFTRA cast or crew members, there are additional restrictions and you may have to get permission from SAG-AFTRA for some uses of your film.

Contacting SAG-AFTRA

In order to request permission from SAG-AFTRA for various uses of your film, please contact SAG-AFTRA directly. If you are in the eastern United States, contact Leif Larson at 212.827.1513 or Leif.Larson@sagaftra.org. If you are in the western United States, contact Marisa Leal at 323.549.6039 or Marisa.Leal@sagaftra.org; or Katie Watson at 323.549.6054 or katie.watson@sagaftra.org

If your film included SAG-AFTRA members, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA to screen at local events, to include on reels/DVDs, to screen theatrically, to show on television. After the first year, showing on cable access also requires permission. Contact SAG-AFTRA directly for permission. This may involve paying your actors.

Note 2

You may post to your own or third-party websites if your film does not have SAG-AFTRA actors and if you open your movie with our animated slate or a title card that says, This film made for the 48 Hour Film Project 2017.

Note 3

If your film includes SAG-AFTRA members you may show the film on your website only if your SAG-AFTRA performers all signed the SAG-AFTRA Internet Use Rider. Otherwise, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA. (Contact SAG-AFTRA directly for permission.) Also, you must open your movie with our animated slate or a title card that says, This film made for the 48 Hour Film Project 2017.

Note 4

If your film includes SAG-AFTRA members, you must obtain permission from SAG-AFTRA to post to third-party websites. You must also open your movie with our slate or a title card that says, This film made for the 48 Hour Film Project 2017.

Note 5

For the first year after your city's 48HFP, you may include your film on a DVD compilation or a professional reel only if you are offering it for free. Films including SAG-AFTRA members have additional restrictions.

Note 6

For the first year after your city's 48HFP, you must get permission from the 48HFP to screen your film theatrically or to put it on television. Films including SAG-AFTRA members have additional restrictions.

Can I sell my 48HFP film?

Here is our policy for the sale of a 48HFP film:

If the purchaser seeks exclusive rights to the film, the 48HFP shall grant release of its rights to the film for 20% of the purchase price (80% to the team leader/20% to 48HFP).

If the purchaser does not require exclusive rights to the film and if the film is sold before June 30 of the year following the creation of the film, when 48HFP controls the bulk of the rights, 48HFP shall grant release of its rights to the film for 20% of the purchase price (80% to the team leader/20% to 48HFP).

If the purchaser does not require exclusive rights to the film and if the film is sold after June 30 of the year following the creation of the film, when 48HFP and filmmaker share rights, you do not need the 48HFP's permission to sell your film.